Underrated St. Johns Developing Into Big East Contender

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Before the season, the St. John's Red Storm (17-9, 9-5) acquired coach Steve Lavin to lead 10 seniors to possible success in their final season.

Coach Lavin was quoted saying their goal heading into the season was to make the NCAA tournament and send their seniors out on a high note.

The Big East coaches voted St. John's as the sixth best team in the Big East during the preseason and the Johnnies also received one first-place vote.

So, to say this St. John's team came out of nowhere is ludicrous. But, the fact that they have overachieved is something that has brought smiles around the St. John's athletic program and in New York.

"I think we are ahead of schedule in terms of the high level of basketball that we have played in six of the last seven games," said coach Lavin.

St. John's has recently received it's first ranking (No. 23 AP, No. 25 ESPN/USA Today Poll) on the season and the first since the 2000 season.

"It is empirical evidence that their hard word is paying off," said coach Lavin. "They have an outstanding work ethic, focus and resolve to finish their careers on a high note."

This St. Johns team has defeated five ranked teams this season, all of which were ranked inside the top-15 in both polls.

More impressively, the Johnnies defeated Duke for the first time since 01-02 and should be NCAA tournament bound with the impressive resume put together this year by St. John's.

The Johnnies went on an unbearable stretch of eight games where their opponents were all ranked in the polls.

"We played eight consecutive games against ranked teams, made three trips to the West Coast," said Lavin. "It takes pressure, heat and time to make a diamond. It shows how together this group is."

St. John's finishes the stretch with wins over three ranked teams but more disappointing, five losses. Since then, the Johnnies have been 5-1 picking up wins over UConn and Pitt.

Right now, the Johnnies are at 9-5 in the Big East conference, which has been regarded as the best conference in basketball many times. Not to mention, being tied for forth and only three games back from overtaking first place in the conference.

The eyeball test doesn't do much justice for St. John's. The Johnnies may not post eye-popping statistics like it's counterparts but St. John's brings much more athleticism, and leadership, which makes them the most underrated tournament contender in America.

Granted, St. John's has a 4-6 road record but all four wins have come against Big East teams on the road; and on the road in the Big East are tough for anybody.

But what makes them tougher than their record indicates is their versatility and depth. It's not just one player dominating on this team; it's everybody.

Dwight Hardy has played like a Big East Player of the Year, and averages a team-high 17.2 points per game. But, D.J. Kennedy leads the team in rebounds with 5.5 and Malik Boothe leads St. Johns in assist with three per outing.

Three players score in double figures for St. Johns as well as six pulling down at least two boards per game.

This St. Johns team is very dangerous because of their ten seniors along with their depth and athletic ability.

"My hope was to, by March, have a dangerous, opportunistic team that could beat anybody in the country, that didn't bring an A game or if they overlooked us" said Lavin. "It appears we hit that in late January and February."

St. John's No. 1 ranked SOS has the Johnnies thinking NCAA tournament. St. John's hasn't made the tournament in 10 years but this season it's certainly obtainable.

St. Johns has quality wins over the Georgetown Hoyas, Notre Dame Irish, Duke Blue Devils, UConn Huskies, and Pittsburgh Panthers.

With so much talent, experience and leadership, St. Johns will certainly contend for a title in March. The Johnnies have a Big East POY contender in Hardy, Justin Brownlee who continues to improve game-by-game and Kennedy who can do it all.

The overall experience from the seniors has allowed the Johnnies to pull away late during a few games this season. St. Johns complete shocked the world with a 15-point win over the defending champs and a win over Pitt.

The Johnnies will take on DePaul at home this Wednesday (Feb 23) before traveling to Villanova for their Big East showdown on Saturday (Feb 26).

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Ranking The Big East Non-Conference Schedules

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Last season, the Big East conference had a lot of bids once Selection Sunday came around. That was because of physical conference play, and marquee wins.

This season, the conference has one of the weaker non-conference schedules, collectively. The Big East conference teams will only play 15 ranked opponents total, and six teams will not play one at all.

That doesn't mean the conference season will not still be among the best in the country. Here is a look at the conference non-conference schedules, worst to best.

16. St. John's Red Storm - @Saint Mary Gaels, Davidson Wildcats

St. Johns opens the season with the weakest non-conference schedule in the Big East. The Red Storm does not play any ranked teams, or prominent programs as they did a year before. St. Johns has two "tough" games at Saint Mary's and against Davidson.

15. DePaul Blue Demons - Oklahoma State Cowboys*

Last season, the Blue Demons scheduled a few tough SEC opponents. This season, DePaul will only play against a decent Big 12 program in Oklahoma State. The rest are mid-major programs.

14. Cincinnati Bearcats - Dayton Flyers, @Oklahoma Sooners

The Cincinnati Bearcats will have to do a great job during conference play because their non-conference schedule will not win over the selection committee. The Bearcats have two decent games, one at home where Cincinnati host the Flyers. The Bearcats will then travel to take on the Oklahoma Sooners.

13. West Virginia Mountaineers - Davidson Wildcats, @Miami (FL) Hurricanes, Robert Morris Colonials

Despite their less than stellar non-conference games, the Mountaineers should be set headed into conference play. The Mountaineers will play Davidson which should not be a easy-task. West Virginia will also travel to take on Durand Scott and the Miami Hurricanes. Last years Robert Morris team made the tournament and almost upset Villanova, and could pose a problem for the Wildcats.

12. Providence Friars - @Boston College Eagles, Alabama Crimson Tide

The Friars will compete against  the same teams this season, as they did the year before. The Friars will play Boston College again, however, this time it will be on the road. The Friars are also playing an improved Alabama team led by freshman Trevor Releford.

11. South Florida Bulls - @Central Florida Knights, Brigham Young Cougars, Auburn Tigers

The South Florida Bulls will get a chance to pick up some marquee wins before conference play. The BYU Cougars returned Jimmer Fredette, AP Preseason All-American, who will travel to take on the Bulls. South Florida will also travel to play Central Florida, and Auburn.

10. Villanova Wildcats - No. 22 Temple Owls, Maryland Terrapins

The Villanova Wildcats have one of the weaker non-conference schedules in recent memory. The Wildcats will welcome in a ranked Temple team that gave Villanova their first loss a season ago. They will also welcome in the high-powered Terrapins offense led by junior guard Sean Mosley.

9. Pittsburgh Panthers - Maryland Terrapins, Robert Morris Colonials, No. 20 Tennessee Volunteers

The Pittsburgh Panthers were selected to breeze through the conference. Their non-conference schedule doesn't speak championship language. The Panthers only face one ranked team in the Volunteers, who were recently defeated by a Division II school, and sub-par opponents like Robert Morris, and Maryland.

8. Connecticut Huskies - @No. 25 Texas Longhorns, @No. 20 Tennessee Volunteers

The UConn Huskies are poised to rebound and show teams they are for real. The Huskies have two road games scheduled against top-25 opponents. Pulling a win from at least one should set them up great heading into conference play.

7. Seton Hall Pirates - @No. 22 Temple Owls, Alabama Crimson Tide, @Arkansas Razorbacks, Dayton Flyer, Richmond Spiders 

Seton Hall continues to get better, and so does its non-conference schedule. The Pirates will get a rematch with the Owls who handed them their first loss on the season. Seton Hall will also welcome in talented teams such as Alabama, Dayton, and Richmond.

6. Rutgers Scarlet Knights - Miami (FL) Hurricanes, Auburn Tigers, @No. 9 North Carolina Tar Heels

It's not going to be easy for the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers will welcome in both Miami (FL) and the Auburn Tigers. Nonetheless, the biggest game will come on the road against ninth-ranked North Carolina.

5. Syracuse Orange - Detroit Titans, North Carolina State Wolfpack, No. 2 Michigan State Spartans

The Syracuse Orange will have a stellar non-conference season. The Detroit Titans will be lead by five-star freshman Ray McCallum. The Orange will also welcome in NC State, with one of the most dynamic freshman trio's in all of College Basketball. Tom Izzo will bring his second-ranked Spartans in town for the biggest game of their non-conference schedule.

4. Louisville Cardinals - No. 18 Butler, UNLV Rebels, No. 10 Kentucky Wildcats

The Cardinals will open up the season with a matchup against the No. 18 Butler Bulldogs, who were runner-ups last year. Louisville will also get a chance to pick up a key win against the Rebels at home. No. 10 Kentucky Wildcats will also visit for an in-state showdown.

3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Georgia Bulldogs*, @No. 10 Kentucky Wildcats, No. 12 Gonzaga Bulldogs

The Fighting Irish may have lost Luke Harangody but will not stop scheduling key opponents. Notre Dame will play an electrifying Georgia team that might crack the top-25 before they play. The Fighting Irish will also travel to play a top-10 in the Kentucky Wildcats, and host the No. 12 ranked Bulldogs.

2. Marquette Golden Eagles - @No. 1 Duke Blue Devils, No. 24 Wisconsin Badgers, @Vanderbilt Commodores 

There is no tougher task than being asked to travel to a hostile environment like Cameron Indoor Stadium and take on the No. 1 team in the country. The Golden Eagles will play Duke on the road, as well as Vanderbilt. Marquette also welcomes in No. 24 Wisconsin in a pivotal non-conference showdown.

1. Georgetown Hoyas - @No. 15 Missouri Tigers, @No. 22 Temple Owls, @No. 19 Memphis Tigers

The Hoyas will open the season on the road against an NCAA tournament team in the Old Dominion Monarchs. After that, the rest of their road games are against top-25 opponents. The Hoyas will grapple a chance to knock off Missouri, Temple, and Memphis on the road in pivotal non-conference games.

(* means neutral location)

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Big East Conference Preview

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Last season, the Big East conference was respected as the best in College Basketball. 10-of-16 teams embraced a winning conference record, while three teams were below 500 overall.

That benefited eight conference teams when Selection Sunday came around. The NCAA tournament would soon feature eight Big East teams.

This season, the same respect is due to the tough Big East conference.

The Big East embraces a tough Pittsburgh Panthers team that is currently ranked number five in the nation. Villanova's Corey Fisher is apart of the Big East as well.

Fisher scored 105-points this summer in a pick-up, and all Big East spectators will witness his ability once conference season comes about.

Jamie Dixon's Panthers were favored by the coaches to win the Big East conference capturing 12-of-16 first place votes.

Syracuse acquired two first place votes, and Villanova along with St. Johns both pocketed one each.

Most Talented Team
Pittsburgh Panthers - The Pittsburgh Panthers finished 25-9 last season with a 13-5 conference record after returning one starter from the year before. This season, the Panthers only lost one starter from last year's second round team. Ashton Gibbs, and Brad Wanamaker are the notable players returning that are ready to continue the Panthers Big East dominance.

Big East Sleeper
Seton Hall Pirates - The Seton Hall Pirates raised a lot of eyebrows with their performance in the Big East last season. The Pirates embraced the Big East's third leading scorer Jeremy Hazell, and rebounding leader Herb Pope. Hazell, and Pope both returned to Seton Hall for another season of College Basketball. With both Hazell and Pope partnered with transfer Eniel Poynice, a transfer from Ole Miss, the Pirates could dance this year. Seton Hall was selected to finish 11th in the Big East, but with scoring threat Hazell back the sky is the limit for the Pirates.

Team to Disappoint
West Virginia Mountaineers - West Virginia lost both De'Sean Butler, and Devin Ebanks from last years Final Four squad. Despite returning second-leading scorer Kevin Jones the Mountaineers will have a tough time replacing the contributions of Butler and Ebanks. The Mountaineers offense was ran through both Butler and Ebanks. Bob Huggins will have a tough time surviving as a number five seed in a tough Big East conference.

Team to Watch
Villanova Wildcats - The Villanova Wildcats could be flip-flopped in the above category. The Wildcats returned Corey Fisher who scored 105-points in a pick up game this summer. Villanova will rely on fisher to lead the team in the right direction. That is a tough task for someone who has never led a college program foregoing. If Fisher collars the role of leader, while implementing his scoring ability the 'Cats are in great hands. Villanova will only go as far as Fisher takes them.

Big East Player of the Year
Ashton Gibbs (PITT) - Ashton Gibbs, a junior guard for Pittsburgh accumulated 15.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and shot 39 percent from three as a sophomore. Without Jermaine Dixon in the starting lineup, expect to see more constant production from Gibbs. His offense is part of the equation, but Gibbs defense this season is what will place him over the top.

Most Improved Player
Peyton Siva (UL) - Peyton Siva took the backseat to Edgar Sosa during his freshman season. This season, Siva will lead the attack for the Cardinals and claimed the starting position. Remember, coming out of High School Siva was one of the more explosive guards in the country, which is one of the reasons why he was a McDonald's All-American. The talent is still there for Rick Pitino it's only a matter of time before we are all witnesses.

Top Newcomer
Fab Melo (SYR) - Fab Melo is a very great talent. Melo is a legit 7-foot center with exceptional length. With his long arms on offense the entry pass should not be a problem. On defense, Melo will able to block and alter a lot of shots. I expect to see Melo ignite the Syracuse frontcourt, grab a lot of rebounds, block shots and become one of the best young centers in the game.

All-Big East Team
Guards: Ashton Gibbs (Pitt), Austin Freeman (GTWN), Jeremy Hazell (HALL), Corey Fisher (Vill), Kemba Walker (UConn), Forward(s): Kevin Jones (WVU)

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